Road Tripping to Stevenson, Washington
Head to the banks of the Colubmia River for the annual Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival
By Claire Buss June 11, 2013
This article originally appeared in the July 2013 issue of Seattle magazine.
WHERE: Stevenson, Washington, on the banks of the Columbia River
WHY: For the annual Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival (7/25–7/28. $55–$150 weekend pass. 710 Rock Creek Drive; 509.427.3980; columbiagorgebluegrass.net), showcasing the best in bluegrass, including beloved bands The SteelDrivers (from Nashville) and Town Mountain (from Asheville, NC), plus workshops, family-friendly jams, and craft and food vendors. PICK AND GRIN: For a $5 contest fee, revelers can compete for a $100 cash prize by displaying their musical prowess on the banjo, fiddle, mandolin or guitar. GO CHASING WATERFALLS: Take a 20-minute drive northeast on State Route 14 and hit the Falls Creek Falls Trail (just north of Carson). The flat and kid-friendly hike (3.4 miles round trip) offers heart-thumping views—with a roar to match—of a three-tiered, 250-foot-high waterfall set in a clearing surrounded by trees. GETTING THERE: Head south on I-5 and continue onto I-205 south. Take exit 27 for City Center/Camas, then merge onto S.R. 14 east.
Follow Us
A Stunning BC Beauty
Check out Manning Park. Just don't tell anyone about it.
During early spring, when the snowpack is deep in the Northwest, and the ski resorts are still buzzing with enthusiasts getting their last turns in before the season runs out, my wife, Kristy, and I like to head further north to Canada. Photo by Sophia Yip/Getty Images
Chasing the Solar Eclipse: Seattle to Indianapolis
The city is near the center of the totality of the eclipse
On April 8, the heavens will put on a spectacular show as a total solar eclipse graces the skies, forging a path from Mazatlán to Montreal. For those seeking this unforgettable experience many prime destinations beckon, from the Texas Hill Country to Buffalo. For us, Indianapolis emerged as a prime destination, lying near the center
Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best
Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out
Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.